







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Oh look at this big boy, he gets bigger everytime I see him! | |
| I don't know really, what's yours? | |
| Okay, maybe it's better for you to have some rest. | |
| Come on, Mike, it's not about me being home. | |
| What about that table? It looks better. | |
| They weigh everything at the checkout. | |
| Yeah, that's a good idea. | |
| Also, one of my friends works there. | |
| Hmm... actually, we have to boil it. | |
| What do you want me to do with them? | |
| Oh f*ck off, I've got to go now... | |
| It's individually, the small ones are 30p, big ones 50p. | |
| Oh, okay, is there a problem with your house? | |
| I hate taking long flights! | |
| What’s their name? | |
| Eating leftovers during the week saves me some time. | |
| Erm... Yeah... Sure! It's our first anniversary! | |
| Erm... They pay 170 weekly. | |
| That's true! How much is your rent? | |
| They are both okay for me. | |